Nature Reviews Microbiology

dlvr.itAridity shifts plant–microorganism relationshipsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 21 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01391-yIn this study, Wang et al. report that climate change-driven aridification shapes soil properties and plant–microorganism relationships across arid and semi-arid grasslands in China.

6d

New online! Aridity shifts plant–microorganism relationships

dlvr.itUrea reshuffles soil microbial balanceNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01392-xIn this study, Wu and colleagues demonstrate that long-term nitrogen fertilization acidifies soils, altering soil properties and bacterial community composition in Tibetan alpine grasslands.

6d

New online! Urea reshuffles soil microbial balance

dlvr.itMosquito-based malaria control through genetic, microbial and immunological innovationsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 13 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01382-zIn this Review, Dong and colleagues overview recent developments in mosquito-targeted malaria control, highlighting Anopheles population modification (rendering mosquitoes Plasmodium-resistant) and Anopheles population-suppression strategies based on gene drive technology, engineered microorganisms, vaccines and drugs, and discuss key knowledge gaps and the responsible implementation of these approaches in conjunction with existing malaria interventions.

ICYMI: New online! Mosquito-based malaria control through genetic, microbial and immunological innovations

dlvr.itThe role of the respiratory microbiome in acute and chronic respiratory diseasesNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 09 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01377-wIn this Review, Heinzinger, Segal and Dickson summarize recent advances in our understanding of the respiratory microbiome in health, examine how it is altered in acute and chronic respiratory diseases, and discuss its diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

ICYMI: New online! The role of the respiratory microbiome in acute and chronic respiratory diseases

dlvr.itRemediation restores soil carbonNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01384-xThis study suggests that shifts in bioavailable heavy metals during soil remediation reshape microbial physiological traits, thereby increasing microbial carbon use efficiency and enhancing soil carbon storage.

ICYMI: New online! Remediation restores soil carbon

dlvr.itTowards broader-spectrum direct-acting antivirals against RNA virusesNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01372-1In this Review, Neyts and colleagues discuss the rationale for developing broader-spectrum antivirals against RNA viruses, survey promising antiviral targets and agents, and outline strategies to accelerate clinical development and strengthen outbreak preparedness.

ICYMI: New online! Towards broader-spectrum direct-acting antivirals against RNA viruses

dlvr.itPredicting resistance evolution to guide antibiotic developmentNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01373-0Resistance emergence is a major challenge to antibiotic development, often undermining promising drug candidates and negating years of research and pharmaceutical investment. In this Review, Pál and colleagues propose a resistance-based classification system for antibiotic development that integrates early resistance predictions into the prospective development of new antibiotics.

ICYMI: New online! Predicting resistance evolution to guide antibiotic development

dlvr.itMosquito-based malaria control through genetic, microbial and immunological innovationsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 13 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01382-zIn this Review, Dong and colleagues overview recent developments in mosquito-targeted malaria control, highlighting Anopheles population modification (rendering mosquitoes Plasmodium-resistant) and Anopheles population-suppression strategies based on gene drive technology, engineered microorganisms, vaccines and drugs, and discuss key knowledge gaps and the responsible implementation of these approaches in conjunction with existing malaria interventions.

New online! Mosquito-based malaria control through genetic, microbial and immunological innovations

dlvr.itThe role of the respiratory microbiome in acute and chronic respiratory diseasesNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 09 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01377-wIn this Review, Heinzinger, Segal and Dickson summarize recent advances in our understanding of the respiratory microbiome in health, examine how it is altered in acute and chronic respiratory diseases, and discuss its diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

New online! The role of the respiratory microbiome in acute and chronic respiratory diseases

dlvr.itCities cannot go green without soil microorganismsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 02 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01380-1Urban soils must move from providing single, engineered functions to supporting multifunctionality. Managing their microbiomes could simultaneously strengthen climate regulation, water retention, pollutant removal, biodiversity and human health, but only if biological restoration is coupled to risk assessment, long-term monitoring and equitable access.

ICYMI: New online! Cities cannot go green without soil microorganisms

dlvr.itHow bacterial immune systems sense phage infectionNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 02 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01376-xBacteria deploy diverse immune systems to counter phage infection, yet how these systems sense invasion remains incompletely understood. This Review categorizes phage-derived triggers and outlines emerging principles that govern immune recognition of phage infection.

ICYMI: New online! How bacterial immune systems sense phage infection

dlvr.itMicrobial synthesis and degradation of bio-based biodegradable plasticsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 01 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01370-3In this Review, O’Connor and colleagues discuss the contributions of microorganisms across the life cycle of key bio-based polymers and assess the current role, the potential and limitations of microbial production and degradation of bio-based polymers as well as the implications for integration of microbiological processes into a circular bioeconomy.

ICYMI: New online! Microbial synthesis and degradation of bio-based biodegradable plastics

dlvr.itMicrobial ecology of shallow groundwater ecosystemsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 01 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01362-3In this Review, Karwautz and Griebler examine the microbial communities found in shallow groundwater and aquifers, exploring their diversity, functional roles and dynamic interactions with adjacent terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as well as the influence of global change and anthropogenic pressures on these microorganisms.

ICYMI: New online! Microbial ecology of shallow groundwater ecosystems

dlvr.itRethinking soil microbiome interventions through an ecological lensNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 30 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01381-0Microbial interventions offer sustainable opportunities to enhance soil health and ecosystem functioning, but they can also have unintended ecological consequences. This Comment explores their benefits and risks, arguing for a shift in perspective from microbial products as agricultural inputs to tools for ecological restoration.

ICYMI: New online! Rethinking soil microbiome interventions through an ecological lens

dlvr.itRemediation restores soil carbonNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01384-xThis study suggests that shifts in bioavailable heavy metals during soil remediation reshape microbial physiological traits, thereby increasing microbial carbon use efficiency and enhancing soil carbon storage.

New online! Remediation restores soil carbon

dlvr.itTowards broader-spectrum direct-acting antivirals against RNA virusesNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01372-1In this Review, Neyts and colleagues discuss the rationale for developing broader-spectrum antivirals against RNA viruses, survey promising antiviral targets and agents, and outline strategies to accelerate clinical development and strengthen outbreak preparedness.

New online! Towards broader-spectrum direct-acting antivirals against RNA viruses

dlvr.itPredicting resistance evolution to guide antibiotic developmentNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01373-0Resistance emergence is a major challenge to antibiotic development, often undermining promising drug candidates and negating years of research and pharmaceutical investment. In this Review, Pál and colleagues propose a resistance-based classification system for antibiotic development that integrates early resistance predictions into the prospective development of new antibiotics.

New online! Predicting resistance evolution to guide antibiotic development

dlvr.itBifidobacteria: biogeography, host adaptation and ecological functionsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01367-yIn this Review, van Sinderen and colleagues explore how bifidobacteria evolved as an important human gut symbiont, highlighting genomic adaptations, metabolic versatility, ecological interactions and host-modulatory functions.

ICYMI: New online! Bifidobacteria: biogeography, host adaptation and ecological functions

dlvr.itCities cannot go green without soil microorganismsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 02 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01380-1Urban soils must move from providing single, engineered functions to supporting multifunctionality. Managing their microbiomes could simultaneously strengthen climate regulation, water retention, pollutant removal, biodiversity and human health, but only if biological restoration is coupled to risk assessment, long-term monitoring and equitable access.

New online! Cities cannot go green without soil microorganisms

dlvr.itHow bacterial immune systems sense phage infectionNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 02 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01376-xBacteria deploy diverse immune systems to counter phage infection, yet how these systems sense invasion remains incompletely understood. This Review categorizes phage-derived triggers and outlines emerging principles that govern immune recognition of phage infection.

New online! How bacterial immune systems sense phage infection

dlvr.itMicrobial ecology of shallow groundwater ecosystemsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 01 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01362-3In this Review, Karwautz and Griebler examine the microbial communities found in shallow groundwater and aquifers, exploring their diversity, functional roles and dynamic interactions with adjacent terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as well as the influence of global change and anthropogenic pressures on these microorganisms.

New online! Microbial ecology of shallow groundwater ecosystems

dlvr.itMicrobial synthesis and degradation of bio-based biodegradable plasticsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 01 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01370-3In this Review, O’Connor and colleagues discuss the contributions of microorganisms across the life cycle of key bio-based polymers and assess the current role, the potential and limitations of microbial production and degradation of bio-based polymers as well as the implications for integration of microbiological processes into a circular bioeconomy.

New online! Microbial synthesis and degradation of bio-based biodegradable plastics

dlvr.itA four-way interaction in the rhizosphereNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 24 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01379-8This Genome Watch discusses recent evidence on the interactions among a plant, a fungal pathogen, its bacterial endosymbiont and the rhizosphere microbiome, highlighting how such multipartite relationships shape plant health and disease, with implications for crop productivity in an era of global change.

ICYMI: New online! A four-way interaction in the rhizosphere

dlvr.itRethinking soil microbiome interventions through an ecological lensNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 30 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01381-0Microbial interventions offer sustainable opportunities to enhance soil health and ecosystem functioning, but they can also have unintended ecological consequences. This Comment explores their benefits and risks, arguing for a shift in perspective from microbial products as agricultural inputs to tools for ecological restoration.

New online! Rethinking soil microbiome interventions through an ecological lens

dlvr.itAfter the rain in biocrustsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 22 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01378-9This study shows that rewetting activates a small, distinct subset of dryland biocrust bacteria, with mature communities showing greater microbial activity independent of light conditions.

ICYMI: New online! After the rain in biocrusts

dlvr.itMicrosporidia: evolution, infection mechanisms and host impactNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 21 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01364-1In this Review, Reinke examines recent advances in microsporidia research, from their evolution, to host invasion, proliferation, transmission, host interaction, immune evasion, detection and treatment, with a focus on species that infect humans, agriculturally important hosts and model systems.

ICYMI: New online! Microsporidia: evolution, infection mechanisms and host impact

dlvr.itBifidobacteria: biogeography, host adaptation and ecological functionsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01367-yIn this Review, van Sinderen and colleagues explore how bifidobacteria evolved as an important human gut symbiont, highlighting genomic adaptations, metabolic versatility, ecological interactions and host-modulatory functions.

New online! Bifidobacteria: biogeography, host adaptation and ecological functions

dlvr.itA four-way interaction in the rhizosphereNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 24 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01379-8This Genome Watch discusses recent evidence on the interactions among a plant, a fungal pathogen, its bacterial endosymbiont and the rhizosphere microbiome, highlighting how such multipartite relationships shape plant health and disease, with implications for crop productivity in an era of global change.

New online! A four-way interaction in the rhizosphere

dlvr.itClostridioides difficile rewires the infant gutNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 16 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01375-yIn this study, Semon and colleagues examine the role of Clostridioides difficile colonization in early life and its lasting effects on host development.

ICYMI: New online! Clostridioides difficile rewires the infant gut

dlvr.itPrinting microbial partners for wastewater treatmentNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 15 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01374-zIn this study, Liu and colleagues constructed engineered living materials to facilitate cross-feeding between anammox and dinitrifier species for efficient nitrate removal.

22 Sept

ICYMI: New online! Printing microbial partners for wastewater treatment

dlvr.itAfter the rain in biocrustsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 22 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01378-9This study shows that rewetting activates a small, distinct subset of dryland biocrust bacteria, with mature communities showing greater microbial activity independent of light conditions.

22 Sept

New online! After the rain in biocrusts

dlvr.itMicrosporidia: evolution, infection mechanisms and host impactNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 21 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01364-1In this Review, Reinke examines recent advances in microsporidia research, from their evolution, to host invasion, proliferation, transmission, host interaction, immune evasion, detection and treatment, with a focus on species that infect humans, agriculturally important hosts and model systems.

21 Sept

New online! Microsporidia: evolution, infection mechanisms and host impact

dlvr.itClostridioides difficile rewires the infant gutNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 16 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01375-yIn this study, Semon and colleagues examine the role of Clostridioides difficile colonization in early life and its lasting effects on host development.

16 Sept

New online! Clostridioides difficile rewires the infant gut

dlvr.itND in Micro: neuroinclusion and neuroaffirmation for neurodivergent microbiologistsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01368-xThere is a growing awareness and visibility of neurodivergent people and our needs, but we still face workplace challenges. ND in Micro is a new global network that aims to connect, peer-support and raise the profile of neurodivergent microbiologists and our science through virtual and in-person activities and resources.

16 Sept

ICYMI: New online! ND in Micro: neuroinclusion and neuroaffirmation for neurodivergent microbiologists

dlvr.itPrinting microbial partners for wastewater treatmentNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 15 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01374-zIn this study, Liu and colleagues constructed engineered living materials to facilitate cross-feeding between anammox and dinitrifier species for efficient nitrate removal.

15 Sept

New online! Printing microbial partners for wastewater treatment

dlvr.itPrioritizing soil microbiome management and microbial restoration in low-income settingsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 08 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01363-2Microbiome-based approaches can support climate-smart agriculture by promoting regenerative farming, eco-friendly land restoration and emissions reduction. In low-income settings, which are disproportionately affected by agricultural land degradation, these strategies can improve nutrient efficiency and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

15 Sept

ICYMI: New online! Prioritizing soil microbiome management and microbial restoration in low-income settings

dlvr.itSeparating microbial signal from noiseNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01365-0This Genome Watch explores how contamination and methodological assumptions influence the detection of tumour-associated microorganisms, highlighting the need for prospective, contamination-aware sequencing to distinguish biological signal from technical noise.

14 Sept

ICYMI: New online! Separating microbial signal from noise

dlvr.itColibactin defends honeybeesNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01366-zThis study reports that colibactin production can protect honeybees against invading pathogenic bacteria, whereas co-evolved resident symbionts are protected by a resistance gene that allows them to coexist with the colibactin-producing bacteria.

14 Sept

ICYMI: New online! Colibactin defends honeybees

dlvr.itND in Micro: neuroinclusion and neuroaffirmation for neurodivergent microbiologistsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01368-xThere is a growing awareness and visibility of neurodivergent people and our needs, but we still face workplace challenges. ND in Micro is a new global network that aims to connect, peer-support and raise the profile of neurodivergent microbiologists and our science through virtual and in-person activities and resources.

9 Sept

New online! ND in Micro: neuroinclusion and neuroaffirmation for neurodivergent microbiologists

dlvr.itFungal Starship transposons for interspecies gene transferNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 01 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01361-4Fungal Starship transposons for interspecies gene transfer

8 Sept

ICYMI: New online! Fungal Starship transposons for interspecies gene transfer

dlvr.itPrioritizing soil microbiome management and microbial restoration in low-income settingsNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 08 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01363-2Microbiome-based approaches can support climate-smart agriculture by promoting regenerative farming, eco-friendly land restoration and emissions reduction. In low-income settings, which are disproportionately affected by agricultural land degradation, these strategies can improve nutrient efficiency and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

8 Sept

New online! Prioritizing soil microbiome management and microbial restoration in low-income settings

dlvr.itColibactin defends honeybeesNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01366-zThis study reports that colibactin production can protect honeybees against invading pathogenic bacteria, whereas co-evolved resident symbionts are protected by a resistance gene that allows them to coexist with the colibactin-producing bacteria.

7 Sept

New online! Colibactin defends honeybees

dlvr.itSeparating microbial signal from noiseNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01365-0This Genome Watch explores how contamination and methodological assumptions influence the detection of tumour-associated microorganisms, highlighting the need for prospective, contamination-aware sequencing to distinguish biological signal from technical noise.

7 Sept

New online! Separating microbial signal from noise

dlvr.itPhage therapy: from basic biology to clinical applicationNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01352-5In this Review, Iredell and colleagues examine key aspects of phage biology and their relevance to phage therapy, and outline current approaches for clinical application of phages, along with their associated challenges.

3 Sept

ICYMI: New online! Phage therapy: from basic biology to clinical application

dlvr.itThe gut microbiota in malnutritionNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01359-yIn this Review, Littlejohn et al. discuss the gut microbiota as a central contributor to malnutrition, including undernutrition, overnutrition, the double burden, and disease-related malnutrition. They synthesize evidence linking alterations in the gut microbiota to impaired nutrient utilization, inflammation and altered energy balance and discuss microbiota-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for improving outcomes across diverse populations and settings.

3 Sept

ICYMI: New online! The gut microbiota in malnutrition

dlvr.itFungal Starship transposons for interspecies gene transferNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 01 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01361-4Fungal Starship transposons for interspecies gene transfer

1 Sept

New online! Fungal Starship transposons for interspecies gene transfer

dlvr.itMetabolic strategies of Enterobacteriaceae gut colonizationNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 21 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01354-3In this Review, Schubert and Hardt explore the metabolic strategies that Enterobacteriaceae use to establish themselves in the gut, and how they adapt to inflammatory conditions in this environment.

28 Aug

ICYMI: New online! Metabolic strategies of Enterobacteriaceae gut colonization

dlvr.itPhage therapy: from basic biology to clinical applicationNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01352-5In this Review, Iredell and colleagues examine key aspects of phage biology and their relevance to phage therapy, and outline current approaches for clinical application of phages, along with their associated challenges.

27 Aug

New online! Phage therapy: from basic biology to clinical application